Two-vehicle accident spills fuel on U.S. 231

A large oil slick marks the location of a two-vehicle crash in Monroe Township that dumped 150 gallons of fuel onto U.S. 231 Thursday morning. Two local fire departments and an excavating company remained on scene well into the afternoon cleaning up the spill. (Courtesy of PCSD)

A fuel spill from a morning accident kept U.S. 231 closed in Monroe Township for several hours on Thursday.

Putnam County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the scene approximately one-half mile south of U.S. 36 at 10:41 a.m.

Deputy Scott Ducker reported that Jim Bowling, 42, Greencastle, was southbound in a 2012 Dodge Ram pulling a 16-foot flatbed tandem trailer when the trailer came loose.

After breaking loose, the trailer veered into the northbound lane and into the path of a 2008 Peterbilt semi tractor hauling a trailer.

Semi driver Richard Vanet, 72, Greencastle, had no chance to avoid the trailer, running it over and losing control of his truck.

The semi crossed the northbound lane and came to rest in the ditch west of the road.

The impact destroyed the front end of the trailer, as well as heavily damaging the front and undercarriage of the semi.

Most significantly, the crash sheared a fuel tank on the semi, causing approximately 150 gallons of diesel fuel to leak onto the roadway.

Vanet had a few scrapes and bruises, but no further injuries.

The Bainbridge Fire Department and later the Greencastle Fire Department responded to the scene to contain and clean up the spilled diesel and oil.

Goode Excavating was also called to the scene for clean-up.

The effort kept the road closed for several hours, with it not reopening until after 2:30 p.m.

Ducker was assisted at the scene by PCSD Lt. Donnie Pettit. Indiana Department of Transportation workers also provided traffic control at the site.

Both vehicles were towed following the accident.